United States company, Blue Ridge Aquaculture Africa (Pty)’s local associate secured an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for its aquaculture project near Henties Bay in the Erongo Region.
The 25-hectare site will host Tilapia farming using Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS).
Blue Ridge Aquaculture President Martin Gardner told Seafood Source that the project is estimated at under N$1.4billion.
“The real cost is much lower and likely between US$50 million (N$907 million) and US$80 million (N$1.4 billion),” he said.
“The U.S. company is acting solely as an advisor as the Namibian company moves through the diligence stage to see if that project would be feasible or not,” Gardner said.
The project, according to documents seen by The Brief, anticipates significant employment opportunities.
“About 146 people will be employed, 50 during construction and 96 during the operational and maintenance phase (Phase 1) and about 200 people expected to be employed during Phase 2,” the documents read.
The project’s water needs, estimated at 400,000 litres daily, will be sourced from a desalination plant and local suppliers.
“During the consultation meeting at Swakopmund with a NamWater representative, they indicated that the amount of water that will be needed as backup is not significant to raise concerns for NamWater.”
Power during construction will be sourced from generators, shifting to solar energy for operation, with potential grid connectivity through Erongo Regional Electricity Distributor (ErongoRED).
“An application to connect the site will be made by the Proponent to reach an agreement with the nearest ErongoRED offices in Swakopmund and or Head Office in Walvis Bay Region.”
In terms of distribution strategies, Blue Ridge Aquaculture has a proven model in the USA through its subsidiary, Rolling River Live Haul, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of live Tilapia to major markets such as the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada.
“This allows for Blue Ridge to deliver an uninterrupted supply of live Tilapia daily to live fish distributors in major metropolitan markets on the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada. Rolling River Live Haul makes it possible for Blue Ridge to have total control of its supply chain and biosecurity of its Tilapia in the USA.”
The project aims to replicate this supply chain model in Namibia, fostering partnerships with local businesses to enhance economic growth.
The project will operate using Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), ensuring a controlled environment for fish growth.
“RAS technologies have been in use globally for over 40 years,” the report explains.
Components include grow-out tanks, solids removal, biofiltration, oxygenation and wastewater recovery, ensuring efficient resource utilisation.
